By David Barron |
June 26, 2013
| Updated: June 26, 2013 1:43pm

FILE - In this April 7, 2013, file photo, Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, right, looks back at quarterback Marcus Mariota as they run onto the field for their spring NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore. The NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions will release a public report on the findings of its investigation and any possible sanctions against Oregon's football program on Wednesday morning, June 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)

Photo By Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly directs his team during NFL football practice at the Eagles' training facility, Tuesday, June 4, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Photo By Thearon W. Henderson/Stringer

FILE - JANUARY 16: The Philadelphia Eagles announced on January 16, 2012 that Chip Kelly will be the team's new coach. BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Head Coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Duck looks on during pre-game warm ups before their NCAA College football game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2012 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Photo By Jonathan Ferrey

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks calls a play against the Oregon State Beavers during the 115th Civil War on November 26, 2011 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

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Oregon coach Chip Kelly walks down the sideline after his Ducks scored a touchdown in the second quarter.

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LaGarrette Blount of the Oregon Ducks is escorted off the field by head coach Chip Kelly after Blount sucker punched a Boise State Broncos player.

Oregon's football program lost a scholarship and was placed on three years' probation Wednesday by the NCAA but escaped a postseason ban and did not face additional major sanctions related to the Ducks' association with former Houston recruiting services operator Willie Lyles.

The NCAA's infractions committee made slight adjustments to Oregon's self-imposed penalties, tacking on an extra year of probation and requiring any NCAA school that hires former Ducks coach Chip Kelly, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, to show why it should not face NCAA sanctions if it attempts to hire Kelly within the next 18 months.

Oregon did not, however, lose bowl eligibility or the chance to compete for the BCS national championship this fall as a result of the NCAA's investigation.

Lyles, who owned a recruiting service called Complete Scouting Services that received $25,000 from the Oregon football program, was found to have provided cash and free lodging to a recruit and made improper contact and telephone calls to prospects, their families and high school coaches, the report said.

Lyles has acknowledged that he provided information to Oregon regarding Texarkana Liberty-Eylau running back LaMichael James, the 2010 Doak Walker Award winner who is now with the 49ers, and Temple running back Lache Seastrunk, who since has transferred to Baylor, and acted as a mentor to both student-athletes.

Oregon has disassociated itself from Lyles, whose company is no longer in business, and Greg Sankey, executive associate commissioner of the SEC and a member of the infractions committee, said the Oregon case highlights the necessity that college coaches carefully monitor associations with recruiting services.

"The relationship (with Lyles) did not meet the expectation of NCAA rules," Sankey said. "... Part of the reason that these rules are there is to prevent undue influence (on recruits), and the reports speaks clearly that there were advantages gained (by Oregon) as a result of that."

He added, "I have advised and will continue to advise, as has the committee, that as it relates to third parties in the recruiting process that every institution should be attentive to any individual who meets that type of definition."

Lyles was not immediately available for comment Wednesday but told Yahoo! Sports, "I agree with the NCAA's penalties against Oregon because the wrong people, namely the players, won't suffer."

The NCAA said Kelly was unaware of Lyles' involvement in recruiting, but the committee noted it is the head coach's responsibility to know the rules and ensure staff and coaches comply with them.

Under Kelly, the Ducks appeared in four straight BCS bowl games — including a bid for the national championship against Auburn in 2011. Oregon finished 12-1 last season, capped by a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

He was replaced by offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, who will make his debut as head coach on Aug. 31.

Oregon was previously penalized by the NCAA in 2004 for a major violation involving the improper recruitment of a junior college player by an assistant coach. The university was put on probation for two years and the unidentified assistant coach was suspended without pay for a week and restricted from some recruiting activities.

The Ducks remained eligible for postseason play and did not lose any scholarships because of that violation, which occurred in 2003.